Karunawathie vs. People’s Bank & Others – sllr 2015 volume 1 page 295

In the case between Karunawathie (Plaintiff) and People’s Bank & Others (Defendants), the court addressed whether writs of certiorari or mandamus could compel People’s Bank to release a retained portion of the plaintiff’s retirement gratuity, and whether retention without a formal inquiry breached natural justice. The court held that the payment of gratuity arises from a contractual relationship and that no public duty was imposed upon the bank under these circumstances. Reliance was placed on principles excluding judicial intervention in purely contractual matters when alternative remedies exist, reaffirming that administrative writs will not issue where suitable contractual and statutory frameworks are available for redress.

Chitrasiri J. — It was established that the dispute concerned